The Lynch Park Advisory Committee is putting on an expanded version of the comedy "Good Heavens, Mrs. Evans" on Friday, April 1 and Saturday, April 2 . It's the astonishing but true story of how one of the country's wealthiest women decided she'd had enough of President Taft's summer White House on the grounds of her Beverly oceanside estate, and decided to evict him.

On April 1st and 2nd you will have one last opportunity to enjoy the historical comedy, "Good Heavens, Mrs. Evans," about the summers of 1909 and 1910 when all eyes were on Beverly, MA. The summer White House was located on the property we now call Lynch Park. Meet Marie Antoinette Evans, the feisty woman who dared to barge in on President Taft's summer plans. Written by Nancy Brewka Clark and directed by Betty Taylor, the play and two additional scenes of the Taft children and the Evans' staff are performed by an intergenerational cast.

A historical slide show of the property with fascinating little know facts of the property, musical accompaniment, theme baskets for raffle, information about the park's new Master Plan, and fresh baked refreshments promise to make this a memorable event. When the play was originally presented most people lingered with questions and were heard to say, "What can we do to help?" Many who heard others discussing the performance asked when would it be done again. This is it!

One hundred per cent of the proceeds will go toward the restoration of the century-old Evans carriage barn in what is now Beverly's Lynch Park, with the goal of turning it into a multi-use cultural and community center. Please consider coming to the play-we'll have live music, fantastic Taft theme baskets for raffle and the ultimate door prize donated by state Sen. Fred Berry, TWO RED SOX TICKETS!

Doors open at 7 p.m., curtain time at 8, tickets are $20, $5 for students of any age, to be held at Briscoe Middle School, 7 Sohier Road, Beverly, MA. Come early to check out the Lynch Park Master Plan and carriage house renovations, view the theme baskets and partake of coffee and refreshments.

You can call Beverly Parks & Rec to charge tickets at 978-921-6067 or you may purchase them at City Hall from June Kelly, Casa de Moda, Parcel Plus, the Library or the Farms branch, Briscoe or Beverly High School. You can also call me at 978-922-1435.

I truly hope you can make it. This will probably be your last opportunity to see this play and learn some fascinating facts about the property now called Lynch Park. New cast members include mild-mannered reporter emeritus Tom Clark will be playing crotchety newspaper publisher Al Vittum. Bruce Doig is sporting a new beard for the part of Mr, Evans and Kerry Zagarella was born to play the part of Madam Zaza, the fortune teller who advised Mrs. Evans on how to solve her dilemma. Lisa McFadden-Mrs. Evans, Shaun Hayes and Nancy Coffey-President and Mrs. Taft, Peter Van de Bogart as Captain Butt and Marcus Taylor as the newsboy are all returning cast. Written by Nancy Brewka Clark and directed by Betty Taylor, the play has two additional scenes of the Taft children and the Evans' staff, all performed by Beverly school students.

All my best,
Joan Fairbank BHS '60

Other Assistance
If any of you would like to help us with baking squares, cookies, or other dessert please respond to Andrea Raymond Stackpole at astack101142@hotmail.com You may consider being listed in the Program Book as a benefactor for $15. For a larger ad contact Cynthia Terry at cbterry@beverlyma.gov Please help us make this venture a success. Thank you for your support.

If you would like to be involved you may contact Joan Fairbank at 978-922-1435 or the individual chairpersons.
Program Book Advertising: Kathy Healey & Cynthia Burns Terry
Refreshments Chairperson: Andrea Raymond Stackpole
Theme Basket Chairperson: Virginia Currier
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